Previously under the microscope for their debut album Casualties of Casualty back in the May 2019 Rapid Fire column, Maniac Abductor return for the second full-length Damage Is Done. A quintet well-versed Read more […]
German veterans Crematory have been an institution in the gothic metal movement since the early 90’s (Awake from 1997 a personal favorite of this scribe). Evolving over the last decade with industrial Read more […]
Polish band Decapitated have certainly had their share of trials and tribulations (literally) over their career. Car accidents that led to severe injuries and the death of drummer Vitek, plus arrests and Read more […]
Downtime allows for deeper focus on the finer details when it comes to recording – especially in the case of German power metal outfit Circle of Silence for this fourth album Walk Through Hell. Choosing Read more […]
Celebrating twenty years as a group, the past decade has been fairly inactive for Spheric Universe Experience as far as studio work. The individual members pursued other side projects and did a European Read more […]
What’s a symphonic epic power metal-oriented act to do when they want to develop a concept record for their third full-length? In the case of Symphonity, you reach back to the most famous traveler in Read more […]
Every band has a story. All of them are unique, of course. Selfgod guitarist/band leader Serge Streltsov has one that is profound. Born in Ukraine, and immigrating to the United States as a teenager, Serge Read more […]
Ardent metalheads probably remember the album title here as the fourth full-length for perennial thrash legends Exodus when they moved up the ranks to Capitol Records back in the early 90’s – but here Read more […]
The development of alternative, groove, and progressive metal stylistically has been a staple of Iris Divine since their start. Mercurial as the proper third full-length comes at a critical juncture for Read more […]
Hard hitting Baltimore act Misery Index are well established for their death metal and grindcore style. Two decades deep into existence, their seventh full-length album Complete Control sees the quartet Read more […]
Aiming to encompass many sides of their multifaceted sound, Helsott strides ambitiously into their third full-length Will and the Witch as a conceptual record. It’s not often you think about Billy the Read more […]
The evolution of Greek act Septicflesh since their start in the 1990’s has been fascinating to watch. Purveyors of an atmospheric brand of symphonic death metal, natural comfort and ability to express Read more […]
They say usually the third album in a band’s career is a safe point to know if they are going to make a lifelong impact through an original approach or remain relegated to bargain bin, local-only appeal. Read more […]
DIY metal of the underground variety often stands on par with what bigger budget releases on prominent labels issue these days. New Jersey thrashers Morbid Cross return for their latest full-length Ungodly Read more […]
An international mix of musicians congregating together in France, BlackBeer pay tribute to an era of melodic hard rock/metal that most who grew up in the 80’s remember vividly. Coming together last Read more […]
While many musicians stateside have been gravitating towards symphonic/ power metal over the past few years, European acts spearheaded the movement in the late 90’s/early 2000’s. Austria’s Visions Read more […]
The desire to develop new material continues to fuel vocalist Graham Bonnet even in the twilight years of his long musical career. Hard to believe the man is 74 years young, possessing the multi-octave Read more […]
Another act in the flurry of UK activity that made the New Wave of British Heavy Metal a standout component to the history of this genre, Tank embrace a power trio format during their early 80’s development. Read more […]
The brainchild of ex-Eternal Essence members Greg Rosenblit and Josh Adams, Echo Rhythm is an instrumental progressive outfit containing a mixture of metal, rock, and ambient influences for this debut Read more […]
With a resume that includes representing the Netherlands in the Wacken Metal Battle back in 2012, Dutch act Disquiet deliver a melodic brand of thrash pulling from Bay Area and European influences for Read more […]
A reference to the ten years of absence as a group, Finnish act Depressed Mode delivers a mighty symphonic death/doom metal platter for this third record Decade of Silence. Established in 2005 by composer, Read more […]
Although OSDM from newer artists is all the rage in 2022, there’s been a healthy contingent carving out old school thrash presently as well. Add Brazilian trio The Damnnation to that list – in three Read more […]
Developing around the bars and pubs of Kokkola, Finland, Mental Care Foundation got their start in 2003, slugging out Pantera and Slayer covers – issuing two albums and a single in 2012 before going Read more […]
Expanding beyond the Mother Superior covers vibe of the debut album Ride back in 2015, Motor Sister now tackle fresh, original material for the sophomore effort Get Off. Containing dual vocalists with Read more […]
Musicians currently wrestle with whether to release albums during the throes of a global pandemic or wait until the major wave subsides. Makes sense as disposable income can be tight for many – and usually Read more […]
The art of creating songs has shifted over the years. So it’s nice to hear when bands in modern times still get together in person, step up in a musical man-cave, start playing to see what comes out Read more […]
Privy to discovering new talent is a great perk on the media front. Especially for us old-timers who not only look forward to veteran artists putting out new material, but also being on the ground floor Read more […]
Simmering slowly in the French scene, Dawohl began in 2009, releasing their first EP Potestas.Ratio.Iustitia in 2014 for Trendkill Records. Only vocalist Maxime Guillemain remains from those early days, Read more […]
Avid cult listeners to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement probably remember this UK act Tysondog for their two albums on Neat Records, 1984’s Beware of the Dog and 1986’s follow-up Crimes Read more […]
Concocting a mixture of heavy metal and melodic, sleaze-oriented hard rock, Scandinavia at the turn of the century developed a youthful affinity for bringing both styles together to create a fresh take Read more […]
